Fruit picker



June 1-, 1926.

E. J. WARNER FRUIT PICKER Filed May '7. 1925 Patented June 1, 1926.

nits srarss ERNEST JOHN WARNER, 0F OPPENHEIM, NEW YORK.

FRUIT geronnn.

Application filed May 7, 1925. Serial No. 28,706.

My invention relates to improvements in fruit pickers of the type in which the picking means are mounted upon the upper end oi a polefand in which a flexible chute or tube extends along this pole for guiding the picked fruit downwardly. The principal object of the invention is to provide a picker of the class set forth which is of extreme simplicity, yet is exceptionally eiiicient and desirable.

In carrying out the invention, relatively stationary and'movable hoops are provided for picking theiruit, and further objects are to provide elastic means connecting portions of the two hoops for normally holding the movable hoop in a substantially horizontal position, as well as performing other functions hereinafter set forth; to provide unique means for limiting the movement oi the movable hoop under the influence of said elastic means, and to provide a unique rigid connection between the stationary hoop and the pole or handle.

Vv ith the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fruit picker constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the upper end of the device.

Figure 3 is a side elevation showing the movable hoop swung into closed relationwith the stationary hoop.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation with the parts related as shown in Fig. 3, parts being omitted.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of a portion of the stationary hoop and the pole, showing the manner of connecting them.

Figure 6 is a vertical section through the connection shown in Fig. 5.

Figure 7 is a detail horizontal section on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

In the drawing above briefly described, the numeral 1 designates a pole which is preferably formed of separate sections detachably connected with each other as indicated at 2, permitting said pole to be extended or retracted in length as occasion may demand. The upper end of the pole 1 carries a stationary hoop 3 which is formed of sheet metal, the edges oi this hoop being folded over as indicated at at both for reinforcing purposes and to reduce the liability of in uring any fruit which may fall upon the hoop or may be accidentally struck by the'latter. A single metal strip is used in forming the hoop 3, and after providing a substantially V-shaped lower portion 5 for said hoop. the ends 6- of the metal strip are extended vertically downward. Theseends are received in a kerf 7 formed in the upper end of the pole 1, and they are of a width greater than the diameter of the pole at said upper end. Thus, the edge p'ortionso-i the ends 6 project beyond the pole. and these edge portions are bent outwardly around said pole as indicated most clearly at 6 in Fig. 7. A bolt or the like 8 preferably passes through thepole and through the ends 6, and it'will be seen that this bolt and the bent edges 7, provide an exceptionally simple yet a very rigid connection between the hoop 3 and the pole 1.

A movable hoop 9 is operatively associated with the hoop 3, and at horizontally opposed points, this movablehoop is pivoted by rivets or the like 10, to the opposite vertical sides of the hoop ,3, spacingwashers 11 (Fig. 4) being preferablyinterposed between the two hoops and carried by the pivots 10, to prevent possible binding of the movable hoop during operation. The portion of the hoop'9, in front of the hoop 3, 1s preferably semi-circular, and the: upper end of a flexible fruit tube 12 is'suitably connected with this portion of said hoop 9 and with thelower V-shaped portion 5 of the stationary hoop 8. This tube or chute is preferably formed of sections detachably connected in any desired manner, as indicated at 13.

The portion of the hoop 9 in rear of the stationary hoop 3 is preferably V-shape as indicated at 14, and from the vertex of the V, an arm 15 projects rearwa'r'dly. The entire hoop 9 and its arm 15 are preferably formed from a single strip of sheet metal,

the ends of this strip being secured together by rivets or the like 16, to provide said arm. From this arm, a line 17 extends downwardly through appropriate guides 18 carried by the pole 1, the cord also being preferably formed of sections detachably connected with each other, as represented at 19.

The rear portion 14 of the hoop 9 is connected with the upper portion of the hoop 3, by elastic means, a plurality of elastic members 20, such as elastic stri s or coiled springs, being preferably emp yed. If desired, hooks 21 may be used for connecting these elastic members with the two hoops. These members normally hold the hoop 9 in a substantially horizontal position and return it to such position after it has been moved to the position disclosed in Fig. 3 by downward pulling on the line 17 The members 20 also prevent the picked fruit from falling rearwardly, instead of entering the tube or chute l2, and moreover, they urge the picked fruit forwardly into said tube or chute.

The V-shaped rear portion 14 of the hoop 9 is provided along its upper edges with reinforcing flanges 22, and the front extremities of these flanges are adapted to abut the rear edge of the hoop 8 to limit the swinging of the aforesaid hoop '9 under the influence of the elastic members 20. Also, to limit the swingingof the hoop 9 when the line 17 is pulled, stops 23 are preferably bent inwardly from the lower edge of the V-shaped portion 14 to strike the rear edge of the V-shaped'portion 5.

' It will be seen from the foregoing that an exceptionally simple and inexpensive, yet an efflcient and reliable device has been provided, and while the details disclosed may be considered .as preferred, it is to be understood that within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous modifications may be made.

I claim 1. A fruit picker comprising a pole, a stationary hoop carried bythe upper end of said pole in substantially a vertical position, a movable hoop pivoted at horizontally opposed points to the vertical side portions of the stationaryhoop and projecting both forwardly and rearwardly therefrom when in a normal substantiallyhorizontal position, a flexible fruit tube extending along the pole and connected to the lower portion of the stationary hoop and to the frontportion of the movable hoop, elastic guard means connecting the upper portion of said stationary hoop with the rear portion of said movable hoop, to prevent escape of of said pole in substantially a vertical position, a movable hoop pivoted at horizontally opposed points to the vertical side portions of the stationary hoop and projecting both forwardly and rearwar-dly therefrom when in a normal substantially horizontal position, .a flexible fruit tube extending along the pole and connected to the lower portion of the stationary hoop and to the front portion of the movable hoop, elastic guard means connecting the upper portion of said stationary hoop With the rear portion of said movable hoop to prevent escape of fruit therebetween and acting to swing the movable hoop to a normal substantially horizontal position, a line connected to and depending from said rear portion of the movable hoop for swinging the latter against the action of said elastic members, the rear portion of said movable hoop having reinforcing flanges on its upper edges, the front ends of said flange being adapted to abut the rear edge of the stationary hoop to limit the swinging of said movable hoop under the influence of said elastic means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

ERNEST JOHN WARNER. 

